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Star Spangled Spectacular

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Bob Kamholz
Washington, D.C. --  With Independence Day fast approaching, the U.S. Air Force Band is hard at work preparing several musical presentations celebrating our nation's 241st birthday. All six performing flights are busy planning and rehearsing for concerts both big and small as they represent the U.S. Air Force in front millions this 4th of July.

The Ceremonial Brass kicks off the celebration with their 18th appearance on NBC's TODAY show, broadcast to millions live from Rockefeller Plaza. The program begins at 7 a.m. EST. Please check your local listings for complete broadcast information.

While in New York, a brass quintet from the Ceremonial Brass will perform the national anthem to start the Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees game, which begins at 1:05 p.m. EST. Please check your local listings for complete broadcast information.

With most of the unit traveling to New York, five members of the Ceremonial Brass will stay behind to perform three, 20 minute concerts at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. The quintet performances start on the hour beginning at 11 a.m., 12 noon and 1 p.m. EST in the "America by Air" exhibit. Take a break from the heat and stop by to hear some of your patriotic favorites in one in one of Washington's most popular museums.

Members of the Air Force Strings have assembled a quartet to perform a special July 4th chamber concert at the Church of the Epiphany in Washington. The church was built in 1844 and is listed on the National Registry of Historic places. The acoustics of this gothic revival church make it a popular lunchtime stop for chamber music lovers. The church is located at 1317 G Street, N.W. in Washington and the concert begins at noon EST.

Max Impact takes their high energy show to Columbia, Maryland this 4th of July. The performance is part of the Howard County free 4th of July annual Festival and Fireworks celebration located at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront. The festival runs from 5 to 10 p.m. and Max Impact takes the stage at 7 p.m. EST. Parking is free. For more information, please visit: www.howardcountymd.gov/rap. 

The Airmen of Note will have their swinging patriotic celebration at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland at 7 p.m. EST. The performance will include everything from big band era dance music to pop and R&B favorites celebrating Independence Day. For directions and parking information, please visit: https://www.nationalharbor.com/directions/.

The Air Force Memorial once again hosts the U.S. Air Force's official 4th of July celebration. The Concert Band and Singing Sergeants have planned a fun filled evening as they salute the birth of our nation. The memorial is home to beautiful panoramic views of Washington and is an excellent place to view the National Mall fireworks display. For directions and parking information, please visit: http://www.afdw.af.mil/visit/. 

If you are unable to attend any of these performance but still want to hear some great patriotic music for your own celebration, please visit our website where you will find free music to download from all six performing ensembles of the U.S Air Force Band. Click here to view our entire online catalog: http://www.usafband.af.mil/recordings/catalog/index.asp.

All concerts are free and open to the public. Outdoor concerts are subject to weather cancellation. Please follow us on Facebook or Twitter for up to date concert information. We hope to see you this 4th of July. Happy Independence Day from the U.S. Air Force Band!